Kansas City, Kansas: Two-day getaway

There is no shortage of great dining, shopping, art and entertainment in Kansas City and the metro area. Nearby Lawrence, KU’s home, entices with its lively arts and food scene.

Legends.

Day 1

Channel your inner fashionista at Leawood’s Town Center Plaza or neighboring Oak Park Mall in Overland Park, then take in a visual feast at nearby Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. Outdoor enthusiasts love roaming Kansas’ first Bass Pro Shop in Olathe’s Gateway shopping center. Break for lunch (and more shopping?) at Legends OutletsKansas City. From steak and barbecue to Cajun, area restaurants offer something to satisfy every taste. Catch a Kansas City T-Bones minor league baseball game at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, or grab a body board and surf an endless wave at Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark.

Day 2

You’ll want more than a day to experience historic and hip Lawrence. Massachusetts Street tempts with more than 60 shops and eateries. Try an oven-fresh scone from WheatField’s Bakery or handmade chestnut ravioli at 715, an übertrendy restaurant. Visit KU’s campus, home of the Dole Institute of Politics. Honoring Robert Dole, former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate, the center encourages leadership and fosters public service.

Other fun stops

Vintage Experiences Tour four vineyards, and sample award-winning wines along the Northeastern Kansas Wine Trail. Mid-August through September, you can reserve a spot and help bring in the harvest at Holy-Field Vineyard & Winery in Basehor. Afterward, it’s time for a toast.

Tee Time Keep the clubs handy for play on Kansas City-area courses. In Spring Hill, Sycamore Ridge’s front nine, a mix of native grasses and sand bunkers, contrasts with lush, tree-lined fairways and creeks on the back nine. Prairie Highlands, Olathe’s links-style course, features wide-open spaces, ponds and 160 acres of native grasses. Deer Creek, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design, combines wooded areas with winding creeks for a challenging layout in Overland Park.